Review of TV Series: The 4400 (2004–2007)

Summary Review of “The 4400”: If you like sci-fi/futuristic mystery plots, you’ll probably like “The 4400”. The End was kind of disappointing. But overall each episode was very entertaining.

DETAILED REVIEW: Even though the last show of the last season was kind of a disappointment, I enjoyed getting to know the characters and following the storyline and the many plot twists. Plot twists?? Oh yeah! The scriptwriters who put pen to paper went NUTS!! It’s like they received special approval from the producers to constantly change up the plot with the same characters, moving the support characters up and down giving different characters a chance to be the main character in the spotlight and then switching them out! The scriptwriters did a masterful job of writing the characters in and out! Even killing them and bringing them back!

STORYLINE OF “The 4400”: 4400 people were abducted. They came from different time periods in the history of the world — 1946, 1951, 1991, etc. These people just disappeared! Suddenly one day they all reappeared in a ball of light at the same point in time on the history timeline. Which means it didn’t matter when in their real-life they disappeared or were “snatched up”, they all reappeared as if no time had passed in their lives, but they were at a future point in time. Example: Even though the girl disappeared at age 8 in 1946, when she reappeared about 50+ years later, she was still 8 years old! The 4400 had no memory of where they had been and all they really wanted to do was go back home. Some were able to do that. But for some of them, the home they left was not the home they could return to and they had to start a new life.

Were they abducted by aliens? That’s what everyone would immediately think. But NOT! They were abducted by humans from the future. They were sent back with “enhanced abilities” for the purpose of … ??? You guessed it. SAVING THE WORLD!

What? No superpowers? Oh don’t be silly! Everybody knows humans can’t really have superpowers. But they do have science and technology and an amazing brain that thinks of and develops those scientific and technological toys, gadgets and things invented, supposedly, for the good of all mankind.

There is a belief among the real scientific and medical community that humans only use 10% of their brains. (Do People Only Use 10 Percent of Their Brains? — Scientific American)

Let’s say this is true. That means that 90% of our brainpower is unused but if we could tap into that unused part we would very likely ALL develop “enhanced abilities”. No superpowers. Just enhanced abilities that are almost like having a superpower.

This theory or belief or scientific fact lays the foundation for the storyline of “The 4400”.

Honestly! It was like a bunch of members of a “wanna be” Justice League with confused human minds, not quite sure of the best way to harness their “enhanced abilities” to accomplish their mission and who also still needed money to achieve their agenda of saving the world. Sorry. I can’t think of a better way to describe them.

Then there are others, also humans, who, for whatever reason, don’t want them to save the world. Those “others” who want to eliminate The 4400 are also humans with enhanced abilities. They came back from the future to STOP The 4400 who were abducted by the “other human beings” who sent them back from the future to save the world.

Hey! There has to be some kind of conflict to keep the story going.

The PLUS of this TV series? Very likable characters. People you wouldn’t mind being friends with in real life. I particularly grew fond of “Maia Rutledge-Skouris” played by Conchita Campbell.

The MINUS of this TV series? I don’t know what I was expecting but ~ not giving out any spoilers ~ The End was not what I expected and as such it was rather disappointing.

The series leaves you with a lingering question:

Even if humans used 100% of their brainpower, would they still know how to save themselves from themselves?

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3 Black Lives Who Made Sure What They Did Mattered for ALL Americans

Speaking as an American, it is my opinion and firm belief that America may not be a perfect nation but it is a great nation. I believe that it is our country’s diversity that contributes to its strength. Sadly, our diversity also creates a weak link in the chain of humanity. But rather than dwell on the negatives, it is better to shine a light on the positives.

One of the positives is that in America, even though we come together as one, we also choose to show appreciation for our differences. This is why there are certain months or time periods during the year where we celebrate the cultural differences and heritage of the citizens who comprise the United States of America and their contributions.

For example:

• February is Black History Month (also called African-American History Month)
• March is Irish-American Heritage Month
• May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
• October is Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month
• November is Native American Heritage Month

Since it is the month of February and my background is African-American, this article is written for the purpose of highlighting certain African-American citizens who have made significant contributions to the building of America and who are human beings worthy of honor, admiration, and respect. This is not meant to be a comprehensive list. Just summary highlights of three historical figures and what they did to make America great, with links that supply additional details and information if you want to know more.

No discussion of African-American history would be complete without the mention of Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, and Martin Luther King Jr.

Frederick Douglass (1818 – 1895) was a free man who was born a slave. He made it his mission in life to change not only his circumstances but to fight for the human rights of all those who were enslaved in America. He had hope, he understood the vision of our founding fathers, and he truly believed that America was meant to be “the land of the free”.

• “What to the Slave is the 4th of July?”, a speech by Mr. Douglass celebrating America’s Independence Day.
• Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave.

Sojourner Truth (1797 – 1883) was a free woman who was born a slave. She escaped slavery and once those shackles were broken she set her mind to liberating others. She believed that she had been called by God to accomplish her work. Because of her contributions to the abolitionist movement and the fight for freedom in America, her name is on a list of the “100 Most Significant Americans of All Time”.

• Sojourner Truth, Abolitionist and Women’s Rights Activist

Martin Luther King Jr. (1929 – 1968) was a man with a dream. He died before he saw his dream become a reality; struck down by an assassin’s bullet. But the records of America’s history rightly credit him with playing a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement which ultimately resulted in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. And he did it without a gun!

• Martin Luther King Jr, Activist, Spokesperson/Leader of the Civil Rights Movement

It’s a blessing to celebrate America’s unity and diversity. We don’t have to make America great again. This nation is already great. We just need to keep it great and make it even better.

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Interesting Note: America is not the only country that sets aside a month to celebrate the heritage and contributions of persons with African heritage. Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, and the Netherlands also celebrate.

Real Threats to the American Way (An Opinion Piece)

Of course, the American Way is always being threatened. That’s why we created Superman. He fights for “truth, justice, and the American Way”.

But what is the American Way? Those two words are comprehensive and encompass a lot of things. Even though the citizenry of the United States of America is diverse and multicultural, every citizen will agree that one of those “things” is EQUALITY. That’s why when it comes to immigration, it seems as though “respect of persons” is being shown or “special treatment” is being given to illegals, which makes the application of the law look very unfair or UNEQUAL. It’s easy to see why law-abiding citizens, especially legal immigrants would be dissatisfied with the way these matters are being handled.

Let’s Contrast and Compare.

On the one hand: There is Citizen A or Legal Resident A who obeyed the immigration laws to gain entrance to the country ~ even though they had to wait several years ~ but now they are allowed to work and pay taxes, raise a family, etc.

On the other hand: Then there is Mr. or Ms. Illegal Joe or Jane who slipped across the border managing not to get caught by the agents who patrol the border. THEY SAY they are not committing any criminal acts, while living here under the radar and in plain view. Some of them got married, had babies born citizens of the country they sneaked into, go to the hospital when they get sick, etc. – all of these processes you have to supply information to identify who they are. But they already broke the law just to get into the country! They commit a criminal act every day as long they’re here illegally.

The Law is the Law

♦ Law have to be enforced. If not, then why do we have laws?
If there is something unfair or unjust about the law, then amend it or rewrite it, or take it off the books completely.

In America, we write and rewrite and eliminate our laws all the time for the sake of fairness and equality, and to uphold the Constitution which allows for life,liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

I think we have a problem BIGGER than illegal immigrants in the USA. That problem is terrorism.

To eliminate or reduce the number of illegal immigrants, Obama came up with DAPA. This is not a PRO-Obama, ANTI-Trump argument. You may not agree, but DAPA could have taken care of the one problem, so that our intelligence and manpower, time, effort, and energy could be devoted to the terrorist threats, which are THREATS TO our life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.

Let’s Contrast and Compare Again.

On the one hand: We’ve got one group of people that broke the law to get into the country. Nobody is denying that. That’s why they’re called illegals!! But when they crossed over, they did not have the intent to do anybody harm or injury. They came in peace.

On the other hand: We’ve got another group who are so smart, they came over here legally, took flying lessons at one of our pilot training schools, and flew planes into the World Trade Center! They didn’t even sneak into the country. By the time we realized that they had not come in peace, it was too late!!

Yes. Mr. Illegal Joe and Jane have been living unlawfully in the country for 20 years and now they have children who are either American citizens or who have only known the American Way. Joe and Jane are now facing the possibility of being deported and separated from their American children. Some of the children of Joe and Jane who are not citizens but have grown up in the USA might be deported too. But let’s not overlook the obvious. 20+ years and … THEY DIDN’T BLOW NOTHING UP!! THEY DIDN’T KILL ANYBODY!!!

The Real Threat to the American Way

♦ Which group consists of the real troublemakers?!!
Shouldn’t our country’s leaders FOCUS on the problem that’s not only the most difficult to solve but also a LIFE THREAT to everybody??!! To citizens, legal residents, peaceful illegals, and to themselves!! Terrorists don’t care if they kill themselves.
If you’re not American, pretend this is your country.

What do you think about this?

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Links of Interest:
EqualityAct | People For the American Way
Opinion: The American Way of Equality – The New York Times
SixBasic American Cultural Values – Vintage American Ways

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This content first appeared on RationalMind.club, June 22, 2019

American History: 3 Patriots Who Helped Make America Great!

Speaking as an American, it is my opinion and firm belief that America may not be a perfect nation but it is a great nation. I believe that it is our country’s diversity that contributes to its strength. Sadly, our diversity also creates a weak link in the chain of humanity. But rather than dwell on the negatives, it is better to shine a light on the positives. That's what Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, and Martin Luther King Jr. did. 

3 Historical Figures That Contributed to
America's Greatness